CLEVELAND (AP) — Cavaliers forward Kevin Love has apologized for his on-court tantrum on Monday night, saying his behavior was out of line and out of character. “That wasn't me,” Love said. The five-time All-Star spoke Wednesday following Cleveland's shootaround practice before facing the Orlando Magic. Love did not take any questions from reporters after speaking passionately for 13 minutes about the incident, his frustration in dealing with an injury this season and his continued struggle with mental health. “I (messed) up,” Love said, using an expletive to open his remarks. “Everyone knows that. My intent wasn’t to disrespect the game, my intent wasn’t even for the damn ball to go inbounds. It was a moment that I got caught up in." Late in the third quarter against Toronto, a frustrated Love, who was upset with the officials for some non-calls, angrily tapped the ball back into play on an inbounds pass. The loose ball was grabbed by the Raptors, who made a 3-pointer and went on to win... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — They've been teammates on a historic championship team and counted on to lead some really bad ones. Kevin Love and Matthew Dellavedova were also linked this season by injuries that kept them off the court for months. They came back Thursday night — together. “Kind of serendipitous,” Love said. And, just maybe, in time to save the Cavaliers' season. Love and Dellavedova made their long-delayed returns in Cleveland's 114-94 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. Although it was the Cavs' fourth straight loss, fifth in six games and dropped them to 17-31, the game also felt something like a restart for a young team ravaged by injuries. With Love spacing the floor, Cleveland's offense looked more in sync, even dangerous. He scored 13 points in the first quarter and played 20 minutes in just his fifth game this season. And with Dellavedova diving for loose balls in his season debut and first game in more than a year, there was a level of needed toughness. Of course, there were some... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Cavaliers star center Kevin Love will play in just his fifth game this season after being sidelined by a severe calf strain. Coach J.B. Bickerstaff said Love — and guard Matthew Dellavedova, who hasn't played in more than a year — are available Thursday night as the short-handed Cavs face the Philadelphia 76ers. It's Love's first action since March 14, when he came back after missing 32 games. Dellavedova is making his season debut after being out with a concussion and appendectomy. Bickertstaff said Love and Dellavedova, the only players left from the Cavs' 2016 NBA title team, will be on a minutes restriction as they ease their way back into game shape. Love played 45 total minutes in Cleveland's first two games before missing more than two months with the injury, which he initially sustained during the exhibition opener and was only supposed to keep him out for a month. The injury lingered, and the five-time All-Star struggled to gain enough confidence to play at less... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Matthew Dellavedova's long wait to play again may finally be over. More than a year since his last regular-season NBA game, the Cavaliers' popular veteran guard could make his season debut Thursday night after being out with a concussion and appendectomy. Coach J.B. Bickerstaff said Dellavedova practiced Wednesday, and as long as he gets final medical clearance, the 30-year-old will play against the Philadelphia 76ers. “My expectation is hopeful that there will be a Delly sighting tomorrow,” Bickerstaff said. Dellavedova, who along with Kevin Love is the only player remaining on the roster from Cleveland's 2016 NBA title team, hasn't played in a game since suffering a head injury in the club's exhibition opener in December. Dellavedova had suffered previous concussions, so his recovery took longer as he had to pass league protocols. He had made major progress toward a return in February, but was sidelined again after having his appendix removed. The Cavs have missed Dellavedova's... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — The NBA trading deadline came and went. Andre Drummond didn't move. Unable to find a trade partner Thursday for the benched center, the Cavaliers will try to structure a contract buyout for the two-time All-Star, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because talks are ongoing. Drummond hasn't played since Feb. 12 and could wind up on a contending team after being pushed aside in Cleveland. The sides can agree to any financial figure for the buyout, but Drummond will likely get a prorated portion of the $28.7 million he's due this season. The Cavs were expected to be busy Thursday but only made one deal, agreeing to send veteran center JaVale McGeee to the Denver Nuggets for 22-year-old center Isaiah Hartenstein and two future second-round draft picks, a person familiar with the deal told AP. The picks are in 2023 and 2027, said the person who spoke on condition of anonymity because the trade must be... [More]

DENVER (AP) — The Denver Nuggets are bringing back center JaVale McGee in a trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers, according to a person with knowledge of the deal. The Nuggets will send power forward/center Isaiah Hartenstein to the Cavaliers along with a protected second-round pick in 2023 and another second-rounder in '27. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Thursday because the deal had not been announced. It's the second time the Nuggets have acquired McGee in a trade-deadline deal. They also picked him up from the Washington Wizards as part of a three-team exchange in 2012. The 33-year-old McGee averaged eight points and 5.2 rebounds in 15.2 minutes per game for the Cavs this season. In Denver, McGee will be a backup to All-Star big man Nikola Jokic, who's inserted himself into the MVP conversation by averaging almost a triple-double (27 points, 11.5 rebounds, 8.5 assists). This may be the start of a busy trade-deadline day for the Nuggets, who made it... [More]

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Center Kevin Love and power forward Larry Nance Jr. are both slated to play against the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night, Cleveland coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. Love played in just two games early this season and has missed 33 games since injuring his right calf in late December. “His role tonight is going to be limited. Want to put him in position to where he can build upwards," Bickerstaff said before the game. "We want him to play as many games as possible.” Nance has been out since breaking his left hand on Feb. 6 and has missed Cleveland's past 12 games. “He’s one of those guys that helps us tick on both ends of the floor," Bickerstaff said. "You don’t have to call plays for him and he can go out and get you double figures. ... My expectation for him is just to be himself.” Nance has averaged 9.3 points and 6.8 rebounds in 19 games this season. Love, who has career averages of 18.2 points and 11.1 assists, averaged 9.5 points and 6.0 rebounds in his two games in December. The Cavaliers also have signed guard Quin Cook to a 10-day contract. He played in 16 games for Los Angeles Lakers this season before being waived on Feb. 24. Those players join a squad that has won four of its last five games, all before the All-Star break, and which is resuming its season after eight days off. ___ More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

2021 — Stephen Curry, Golden State 2020 — Buddy Hield, Sacramento 2019 — Joe Harris, Brooklyn 2018 — Devin Booker, Phoenix 2017 — Eric Gordon, Houston 2016 — Klay Thompson, Golden State 2015 — Stephen Curry, Golden State 2014 — Marco Belinelli, San Antonio 2013 — Kyrie Irving, Cleveland 2012 — Kevin Love, Minnesota 2011 — James Jones, Miami 2010 — Paul Pierce, Boston 2009 — Daequan Cook, Miami 2008 — Jason Kapono, Toronto 2007 — Jason Kapono, Miami 2006 — Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas 2005 — Quentin Richardson, Phoenix 2004 — Voshon Lenard, Denver 2003 — Peja Stojakovic, Sacramento 2002 — Peja Stojakovic, Sacramento 2001 — Ray Allen, Milwaukee 2000 — Jeff Hornacek, Utah 1999 — No contest 1998 — Jeff Hornacek, Utah 1997 — Steve Kerr, Chicago 1996 — Tim Legler, Washington 1995 — Glen Rice, Miami 1994 — Mark Price, Cleveland 1993 — Mark Price, Cleveland 1992 — Craig Hodges, Chicago 1991 — Craig Hodges, Chicago 1990 — Craig Hodges, Chicago 1989 — Dale Ellis, Seattle 1988 — Larry Bird, Boston 1987 — Larry Bird, Boston 1986 — Larry Bird, Boston

CLEVELAND (AP) — Kevin Love's devotion to raising awareness and advocating for mental health during isolating times has earned him another honor. The Cavaliers forward and five-time All-Star received the first Humanitarian of the Year Award on Thursday night at the Greater Cleveland Sports Awards, an annual event that brings out the city's top sports names but was held virtually this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Love first went public with his own mental health issues in 2018, chronicling those struggles in an essay. His openness and willingness to share his personal story since has helped erase stigmas about mental issues and led to the NBA adopting programs to assist players. During the pandemic, Love, who has been sidelined most of this season with a calf injury, donated $100,000 through his foundation to assist team employees and workers at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. He's also donated meals to workers at the Cleveland Clinic. “Everybody's going through something,” Love said in... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Kevin Love took part in most of the Cavaliers' practice Wednesday, moving the five-time All-Star closer to playing after missing most of the season with a calf injury. Love has been out since Dec. 27, when he aggravated a calf strain he initially incurred in the team's exhibition opener. Coach J.B. Bickerstaff said Love was able to do “quite a bit of the live stuff” during the workout as the Cavs, who have lost eight straight, got in a previously unscheduled practice after Wednesday's game against San Antonio was postponed because of a COVID-19 outbreak among the Spurs. “Hopefully that’s a good sign,” Bickerstaff said of the latest step in Love's slow improvement. “Obviously you wait and see how he responds tomorrow, but he’s making progress and he was with us for most of the day.” The Cavs host the Denver Nuggets on Friday, a matchup arranged by the NBA after the game against the Spurs was scrapped. Love's return would provide a major boost for the Cavs, who have dropped... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Andre Drummond is on the trade block — and the bench. The two-time All-Star center will be inactive for upcoming games as the Cleveland Cavaliers, who are struggling badly after a solid start and are intent on playing newly acquired center Jarrett Allen, try to deal Drummond. Coach J.B. Bickerstaff said the decision to sit Drummond, one of the NBA's leading rebounders at 13.5 per game, was difficult. "Sometimes you’re forced into difficult positions that’s not easy to navigate, but in respect to Dre and all that he’s done and accomplished and as much as he’s helped us, we thought this was the fairest thing to do for him,” Bickerstaff said before the Cavs closed out a rough road trip Monday night at Golden State. After the team met with Drummond and his agent, he was kept out Sunday's game — the team called it “rest” — against the Los Angeles Clippers. Drummond will continue to stay on the sideline while the team tries to find a trade partner. Bickerstaff said the Cavs will... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Andre Drummond wasn't part of the Cavaliers' future plans. He's not part of current ones, either. The two-time All-Star center will be inactive for upcoming games as the Cavs, who are struggling badly after a solid start, pursue a trade for him, a person familiar with the team's intentions told The Associated Press on Monday. Drummond sat out Sunday night's game — the team called it “rest” — against the Los Angeles Clippers and will continue to stay on the sideline, said the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the Cavs have not publicly commented on Drummond's situation. There is “nothing imminent” on the trade front, the person added. The deadline is March 25. ESPN.com was first to report Drummond's status. The Cavs moved center Jarrett Allen into Drummond's starting spot on Sunday, and the team intends to build around the 22-year-old Allen, who was acquired along with forward Taurean Prince from Brooklyn in a trade last month. As the Cavs lost their seventh... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cleveland Cavaliers will make center Andre Drummond inactive for upcoming games as they pursue a trade for him, a person familiar with the team's plans told The Associated Press on Monday. Drummond did not dress for Sunday night's game against the Los Angeles Clippers and will continue to stay on the sideline, said the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the Cavs have not publicly comment on Drummond's situation. There is “nothing imminent” on the trade front, the person added. The Cavs said Sunday Drummond wasn't playing for “rest.” The trading deadline is March 25. ESPN.com was first to report Drummond's status. A two-time All-Star over eight seasons with Detroit, Drummond is in his final year under contract. He's not part of Cleveland's future as the Cavs intend to build around 22-year-old center Jarrett Allen, who was acquired last month from Brooklyn. After a surprising start under coach J.B. Bickerstaff, the Cavs have plummeted, losing seven straight... [More]

DENVER (AP) — Paul Millsap scored a season-high 22 points on his 36th birthday, Michael Porter Jr. added 19 and the Denver Nuggets routed the Cleveland Cavaliers 133-95 on Wednesday night to snap a three-game skid. The Nuggets opened a 23-point lead in the first half, saw it increase to 34 in the third — notoriously a problem quarter for them this season — and coasted from there as Nikola Jokic and his fellow starters got the fourth quarter off. Jokic finished with 12 points and 12 assists. “When we play the right way, we’re a really good team,” Millsap said. It was the fifth straight loss for the Cavaliers. It's also tied for their most lopsided loss of the season. They were beaten 141-103 on Jan. 24 at Boston. “To me, the Nuggets sent a clear message from the jump ball to the end of the game,” Cleveland coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “The message was, there was an intent to embarrass us, whether it was through physicality, whether it was showboating after plays, whether it was the shot... [More]

DENVER (AP) — Paul Millsap scored a season-high 22 points on his 36th birthday, Michael Porter Jr. added 19 and the Denver Nuggets routed the Cleveland Cavaliers 133-95 on Wednesday night to snap a three-game skid. The Nuggets opened a 23-point lead in the first half, saw it increase to 34 in the third — notoriously a problem quarter for them this season — and coasted from there as Nikola Jokic and his fellow starters got the fourth quarter off. Jokic finished with 12 points and 12 assists. “When we play the right way, we’re a really good team,” Millsap said. It was the fifth straight loss for the Cavaliers. It's also tied for their most lopsided loss of the season. They were beaten 141-103 on Jan. 24 at Boston. “To me, the Nuggets sent a clear message from the jump ball to the end of the game,” Cleveland coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “The message was, there was an intent to embarrass us, whether it was through physicality, whether it was showboating after plays, whether it was the shot... [More]

DENVER (AP) — Paul Millsap scored a season-high 22 points, Michael Porter Jr. added 19 and the Denver Nuggets routed the Cleveland Cavaliers 133-95 on Wednesday night to snap a three-game skid. The Nuggets opened a 23-point lead in the first half, saw it increase to 34 in the third — notoriously a problem quarter for them this season — and coasted from there as Nikola Jokic and his fellow starters got the fourth quarter off. Jokic finished with 12 points and 12 assists. It was the fifth straight loss for the Cavaliers. Jarrett Allen had 18 points and 10 rebounds for the Cavaliers, who are 0-2 on their five-game trip out West. Cleveland swept the season series with Denver last season. Denver's season-high 133 points meant a lot of eating for injured Cleveland forward Larry Nance Jr., who posted on social media a playful vow to consume as many McDonald’s Chicken McNuggets as the Nuggets scored points. Nance, sidelined with a broken left hand and not with the team, had 12 boxes of 10-piece... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — A tough stretch for the Cavaliers just got a lot tougher. Cleveland will be without versatile forward Larry Nance for six weeks after he broke his left hand during Saturday's loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. Nance, who has missed several recent games with a sprained right wrist, broke the fourth metacarpal in his hand during the first quarter of the 124-99 loss as the Cavaliers dropped back-to-back games against one of the NBA's best teams. It's not yet known if Nance will have surgery. Nance's loss comes at a challenging juncture for the Cavs. They won only 19 games in 2020 but have been one of the league's biggest surprises so far this season. However, Cleveland has lost three straight, five of six and will begin a five-game road trip — all against playoff contenders — on Monday in Phoenix. The 28-year-old Nance is perhaps the team's best all-around player. He can play down low and on the perimeter and Nance, who is in his fourth season with Cleveland, ranks second in the... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Cavaliers versatile forward Larry Nance Jr. could miss six weeks with a broken left hand, a tough blow for a Cleveland team sliding after a strong start. Nance, who has missed recent games with a sprained right wrist, broke the fourth metacarpal in his hand during the first quarter of Saturday night's 124-99 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. The team did not say if Nance will need surgery. Nance's loss is a setback for the Cavaliers, who have been one of the NBA's biggest surprises this season but are in the midst of a challenging stretch. Cleveland has lost three straight, five of six and will begin a five-game road trip — all against playoff contenders — on Monday in Phoenix. The 28-year-old Nance is perhaps the team's best all-around player. He can play down low and on the perimeter and Nance, who is in his fourth season with Cleveland, ranks second in the league with 1.9 steals per game. Nance is averaging 9.3 points and 6.8 rebounds in 19 games. The Cavs had had more than their share of injuries already this season. Five-time All-Star Kevin Love hasn't played since Dec. 27 due to a severely strained calf. He began doing on-court work earlier this week and said Saturday he's getting close to playing. ___ More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CLEVELAND (AP) — LeBron James could be considered something of a history buff on the Cavaliers. After all, he's responsible for making — and altering — the franchise for more than a decade. So after scorching his former team on Monday night with a 46-point, tour-de-force performance he said was fueled by seeing a member of Cleveland's front office overreact to one of his few missed shots, the Lakers superstar admitted keeping an eye on the Cavs. He's impressed. “You can tell that team is improving,” James said. No doubt, the Cavs, who were left in shambles when James bolted as a free agent three seasons ago, are ahead of schedule. Led by All-Star-in-the-making guard Collin Sexton, center Andre Drummond, and boasting unexpected depth and defense under coach J.B. Bickerstaff, the Cavs are 9-9 and currently holding a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference as they prepare to visit the New York Knicks on Friday. And while Cleveland's record is surprising, it's notable the Cavs have made the... [More]

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Cleveland Cavaliers starting guard Darius Garland might miss another week with a shoulder sprain, while guard Danté Exum could miss two months with a calf strain. Cleveland provided the injury updates Wednesday before playing the Magic for the second time in three days. Garland began experiencing discomfort in his shoulder last week during a game in Atlanta. He was kept out of Monday’s loss and underwent an MRI. The second-year guard is averaging 17.2 points and 6.3 assists in six starts. He averaged 12.3 points in his abbreviated rookie season. Exum injured his calf in the first quarter Monday. The Cavaliers said he'll begin treatments and rehab and is expected to miss approximately six to eight weeks of basketball activity. Exum has made three starts for the Cavs, who have been dealing with numerous injuries since the start of the season. Cleveland is without star forward Kevin Love, who aggravated a calf injury in the team's second game and is expected to be out at least a couple more weeks. The Cavs are expected to have rookie Isaac Okoro back after he missed five games with a foot injury. ___ More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports